It is quite clear that #45 has upped the ante with China, no doubt thinking it will go down well with the 'basket of deplorables' as Hillary Clinton described them. That did her no favours at all, no matter whether true or not. You only have to hear Trump bang on about 'The China Virus' to know what he is up to.
I do not know why China is so cross with Australia, and if it trying to be well thought of by Australians, it is failing completely with bans on importing some of our products, ceasing government to government contact, booting out two respected Australian journalists, leaving us with no media within the country at all to report from China. If it is about Australia banning Huawei from supplying our 5G network because of the possibility of spyware being installed, it seems an overreaction.
Another Chinese Australian journalist who is a presenter on Chinese tv has been detained for some time and it is not known where.
All very odd. It is like anti public relations by China. The Chinese government wants we in Australia to dislike it?
With China having the best media monitors in the world, I suggest you refrain from a negative comment about China if you intend travelling there or to or via Hong Kong...…..and maybe even Taiwan. I certainly won't be going to either place. Good public relations China? I think not.
I suspect that at least part of the reason China is not playing nice at the moment is to send a message to 45. They believe (not without reason) that we do a lot of America's bidding...
ReplyDeleteYes, perhaps you are right EC about us doing America's bidding.
DeleteHe-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named occasionally, well constantly complains about the world press - fake news being his favorite phrase - he should look at other countries that closely control the media. Grants ours can be a bit wild, I just don't watch the lunatics on Fox.
ReplyDeleteFake news hey. Reporting the facts. Your remark about Fox is interesting. Until 6pm here Fox is fine, then it goes so ballistically right wing, pro #45 and pro everything #45 would approve of.
DeleteMy theory is that China wants the World to know that they must fear China, lest they be cut off from Chinese imports. The Chinese do not play nice and since Xi Jinping took charge he has slowly been moving toward a position of World Power.
ReplyDeleteOne trusts China at it's own peril.
Maribeth, I am just surprised that she cares so little for her world image. China has always been problematic, but it once wanted to present a good face.
DeleteWhat Maribeth says about China is very true. I the differences do not come to conflict. But I wonder about that. I wonder what is going on in the background sometimes. We have some inflammatory strong arm control freak world leaders currently. Hopefully that will soon change and more diplomacy will heal wounds.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, I agree with you about diplomacy but at the moment between us and China, it is almost suspended.
DeleteThe interesting thing is a big percentage of the people in China are not happy with their Government, a bit of internal upheaval could be what's needed. I really hope #45 is heavily outvoted in November, it needs to be a huge win for the Democrats..
ReplyDeleteGrace, I am sure many aren't happy. That the country is cohesive is a work of art, propaganda and coercion. We are all hoping for the same in November.
DeleteI don't really understand the battle between the USA and China, either. Actually, it's a battle between Trump and Xi, two egomaniacs.
ReplyDeleteGigi, yes both are egomaniacs.
DeleteI'll bet part of it's about Huawei. China probably thinks Australia is following the US lead on this.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I think we may have kicked that off here first, certainly before England.
DeleteTrump is definitely playing opposition to China to appeal to conservative voters. It's all political.
ReplyDeleteSteve, true, but I still don't really understand China's problem with us.
DeleteI also don't understand China's problem with us, particularly since so many of their young people come here for high school and university education. It may have been started by us demanding to know the origins of the virus, but it has gone beyond that. As others have said, they probably fear our alliance with America, well, so do I. The way America is going, I certainly don't want Australia following! Every day I worry about my internet friends there.
ReplyDeleteRiver, yes that demand or an enquiry about the virus and the Huawei business no doubt added fuel to a fire if not started it. How %45 can get up there every so often and say how well the country is doing with 'The Chinese Virus' and be believed when the death toll is the worst in the world.
DeleteI think countries are right to be cautious about China; they are slowly taking over the world. I'm amazed by all the simple things that are imported from China; everything from children's toys to our clothes. They almost own Africa, and their hold on all things technical is frightening. I would prefer to see all countries looking to their own needs, and re-building their own manufacturing.
ReplyDeleteCro, if there is one thing countries around the world have learnt of late is that they need to become less dependent on China.
DeleteI agree that all countries should look to their own manufacturing needs and rebuild the infrastructures needed to do so. Just think how many unemployed could once again have jobs, decent wages and self respect, instead of wandering hopelessly around the streets.
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